Napa Valley winter is the season of verdant hills, unhurried strolls through town, and cozy indoor tasting rooms with hearth-warming fires. And while many may not think of winter as the ideal time to visit Napa, it’s actually one of the better seasons for taking in the valley slowly and in the good company of more relaxed winemakers, rested viticulturists and warmhearted hospitality staff.
At Baldacci Family Vineyards in Stags Leap District, the family and hospitality team welcome visitors this winter season. “We love getting visitors during the wintertime. It tends to be quieter and offers more space for good conversation with guests. And because of the lower temperatures, we eagerly pull bottles from our library to share with those looking for extra special, hardy reds to take home,” says Michael Baldacci, owner and winemaker at Baldacci Family Vineyards.
The Baldacci Family Vineyards Estate House, which underwent a full rebuild in the summer of 2021, offers luxury and comfort. It’s equipped with multiple tasting spaces, several of which can privately accommodate large groups, while other more lounge-like spaces invite guests to mingle with each other and share their thoughts on the wines.
Among the tasting experiences, the diverse wine flight of the $65 Portfolio Tasting remains a favorite. The Portfolio Tasting extends guests the opportunity to taste the full breadth of the Baldacci collection — everything from sparkling wine to bold, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. The tasting includes a total of four estate-grown wines plus a small plate of local cheese and artisan charcuterie. This is one of the best and most diverse tasting experiences in Napa Valley.
For those looking for a more robust tasting, the All Cabernet Tasting with Cave Tour ($125) includes a splash of sparkling wine on which to sip during a walking tour of the state-of-the-art, 19,210-square-foot wine production cave. Following the tour, during which Michael Baldacci allows guests to sample Cabernet straight from the barrels, guests enjoy a seated tasting of three 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon wines hailing from Stags Leap District, Calistoga and Oakville. The tasting also includes a small plate of local cheese and artisan charcuterie to mix and match with the selection of Cabernet, allowing guests to pair their wines and discover playful flavor combinations.
The family-owned and operated estate continues to delight guests with its balance of new and old Napa — a hybrid of luxury and quality merged with the down-to-earth atmosphere and genuine hospitality of yesteryear. The team welcomes all levels of wine lovers, offering to share as much or as little wine information as guests would like.
And while this kind of duality is harder to come by in Napa Valley today, all who visit Baldacci Family Vineyards agree that the estate has found a sweet spot. The genuine hospitality, warmhearted nature of the family and incredible quality of the wines make Baldacci Family Vineyards a rising star in Napa Valley, and the family welcomes wine enthusiasts to hitch a ride.
Baldacci Family Vineyards
6236 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Open daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
707.944.9261
https://www.baldaccivineyards.com/
